Book Blurb {Sal and Gabi Break the Universe}

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe

By: Carlos Hernandez

This was such an adorable read. I was a little worried at first (judging a book by it's cover) that I would find this book to be silly, not relatable, childish. But I found it the exact opposite! Cuban American, Sal, is a 13 year old boy who's lost his mother. He is also able to jump into different universes. He's starting a new school in Miami, where he meets Gabi who is impressed and curious about Sal's magic and science.

Their journey has so much depth. Their friendship grows as they learn to love their families through hardship and loss. Learn to take care of friends who are struggling.

The book offers themes of grace, compassion, patients, love, kindness, curiosity. Did I mention that the school the kids go to is a magnet school for artist! Made my heart jump with joy.

Although the science fiction part seems far fetched it is told through the lens of a middle school kiddo (so easy to understand).

This book made me smile and laugh. This book helped me learn more about Mami's and their important to their Hispanic Families.

I can not wait for my oldest son to read this book in a few years!  PLUS there is a second book coming out in a few days!

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After I posted this blog I realized I had a specific form to fill out, so I'm just going to post that here too! It is a checklist so I am going to use it as such.

Title: Sal and Gab Break the Universe

Author/Illutrator: Carlos Hernandez

Does the story:

Relate to children’s interests? ✅ I think it's great to have science fiction meet Hispanic culture! 
Provide various conflicts for readers to explore? ✅ absolutely! What would you do facing a bully with these powers? 
Provide age-appropriate content? ✅ a little younger than "young adult" - super sweet
Encourage discussions/conversations? ✅
Distort history? maybe science...
Comments/Insights: See above. Seriously a cute story.

Do the characters:

Represent a variety of people within cultural groups, age ranges and sizes and disabilities? 
Are the “good” characters a reflection of a variety of backgrounds? ✅ I mean, they are Hispanic
Include females as well as males in leadership and/or non-traditional roles? ✅ love the female "dad" and Gabi!!
Represent diverse people at the same “level” of the white characters?
Are all characters depicted realistically and genuinely? ✅
Tend to be depicted as stereotypical? I wish I had more insight to the Hispanic culture.
Comments/Insights: 

Does the theme:

Offer readers a variety of things to think about, question, and consider? ✅
Explore, instead of preach, values? ✅
Include lessons from which readers can learn? ✅
Tell the story of a diverse population in a condescending manner, whether contemporary or in the past? ✅
Comments/Insights: It would most definitely provide a discussion!

Does the story’s setting:

Reflect a variety of places and spaces? ✅✅✅
Represent urban, suburban, and rural settings realistically? universes!!
Represent cultural settings realistically?  I think so. Most kiddos don't know what it's like to go to a school where students WANT to learn. 
Comments/Insights:

Do the story illustrations (if there are any): 
Include representation of diverse populations?
Contain diversity represented within cultural groups?
Include characters depicted realistically and genuinely?
Avoid reinforcing societal stereotypes?
Comments/Insights: not present

Book as a Whole 

Would you be embarrassed to read the book to children of a different culture, and their parents?
What is the author’s background for writing the book? Their first book, inspired by his own family I believe. 
What is the context of the book?

Comments/Insights:

Personal Insights
Your personal notes/insights about the book not covered in the previous sections: See blog!